22 LakeTalk August 2022
SIMPLE HOME SAFETY FOR SENIORS By : Liz Burrow , Realtor ®
ADA compliance is short for : the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design . But unless we have someone in our home with a disability , most of us do not consider accessibility or safety measures to prevent accidents with older family members who may not be as agile as they once were .
If you plan to stay in your home long term , or perhaps have older parents who may one day move in with you , when updating your home or building new , it could be a good time to plan for the future . Most safety updates , if done at the time of construction , can be inexpensive and , if done well , can fit right in with your décor .
Below are some simple safety tips , most of which are very minor projects and a couple that would be worth considering when completing larger home modifications .
• Staircase Lighting – Add additional light in areas where there are steps . You can do this by increasing overhead lighting or even considering LED step lighting , which is not only functional but also very attractive .
• Stair Rails – These are only required on one side of any stairway , so adding handrails to both sides of the staircase where possible will be an additional safety feature . When doing so , ensure they are reinforced to allow for extra pressure . They will help anyone who does not have great balance or has trouble getting up or down stairs .
• Trip Hazards – Area rugs can often be the source of tripping and should be kept to a minimum or just placed in seating areas . Also , ensure that all cables and extension cords are out of the way .
• Bathrooms – The CDC reports that people over 65 are two and a half times more likely to fall in the bathroom than their younger counterparts . Helping to prevent this could be as simple as adding a shower chair with non-slip rubber feet and non-slip mats or peel-and-stick strips to slippery surfaces like the tub or shower .
• Grab Bars – These can also be added to bathrooms to help reduce falls . Replacing towel bars with reinforced grab rails and placing others in places such as next to the toilet or for exiting the shower or tub will greatly assist anyone unsteady on their feet .
• Exterior Walkways – Check for uneven pathways or loose paving stones . These can be very hazardous to someone who struggles with walking .
• Doorways & Ramps – This step is more costly and would require remodeling . If building from scratch , planning for the eventuality of wheelchairs and walkers by including wider doorways and larger showers is a smart move . Making sure that the showers have no lip also makes them accessible by wheelchair .
• Elevators & Stair Chairs – When building new , consider straight staircases for easy installation of stair chairs ; I have recently had a couple of clients include an empty elevator shaft for the eventuality of having an elevator added when needed .
Most of these precautions are simple to add to an existing home , and if building , any good builder will be able to accommodate your needs . Preparing ahead will make the transition to when you need them much less stressful .